A Step toward NRF2-DNA Interaction Inhibitors by Fragment-Based NMR Methods

Sven Brüschweiler (Corresponding author), Julian E. Fuchs, Gerd Bader, Darryl B. McConnell, Robert Konrat, Moriz Mayer

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

The NRF2 transcription factor is a key regulator in cellular oxidative stress response, and acts as a tumor suppressor. Aberrant activation of NRF2 has been implicated in promoting chemo-resistance, tumor growth, and metastasis by activating its downstream target genes. Hence, inhibition of NRF2 promises to be an attractive therapeutic strategy to suppress cell proliferation and enhance cell apoptosis in cancer. Direct targeting of NRF2 with small-molecules to discover protein-DNA interaction inhibitors is challenging as it is a largely intrinsically disordered protein. To discover molecules that bind to NRF2 at the DNA binding interface, we performed an NMR-based fragment screen against its DNA-binding domain. We discovered several weakly binding fragment hits that bind to a region overlapping with the DNA binding site. Using SAR by catalogue we developed an initial structure-activity relationship for the most interesting initial hit series. By combining NMR chemical shift perturbations and data-driven docking, binding poses which agreed with NMR information and the observed SAR were elucidated. The herein discovered NRF2 hits and proposed binding modes form the basis for future structure-based optimization campaigns on this important but to date ‘undrugged’ cancer driver.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3576-3587
Number of pages12
JournalChemMedChem
Volume16
Issue number23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2021

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106002 Biochemistry

Keywords

  • fragment screening
  • ligand docking
  • NMR solution structures
  • NRF2
  • protein-DNA interactions
  • structure-activity relationships
  • TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
  • DNA-BINDING DOMAIN
  • CHEMICAL-SHIFTS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
  • DISCOVERY
  • LIGANDS
  • SMALL-MOLECULE INHIBITORS
  • MAGNETIC-RESONANCE
  • PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2/antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA/antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Binding/drug effects
  • Humans
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Domains
  • Molecular Structure
  • Binding Sites
  • Small Molecule Libraries/chemistry
  • Molecular Docking Simulation

Cite this